Highlights
Alan Wake 2 will hopefully answer significant story threads, including whether Alan will escape The Dark Place and the fate of his wife Alice.
Alan may have created Saga Anderson as a fictional character to aid in his escape plan, making her the game's second playable character.
In Alan Wake 2, fans anticipate the return of Mr. Scratch, Alan's sinister alter ego, who is expected to haunt and torment both Alan and Saga.
Fans of the series are eagerly anticipating the fast-approaching release of Alan Wake 2 and have been left with numerous lingering questions. As it has been a staggering 13 years since the original game's release, these inquiries have been marinating for quite some time. Some of these queries trace back to the game's inception, while others emerged from subsequent downloadable content and related titles.
With a multitude of unresolved enigmas and countless theories and speculations surrounding them, fans are holding high expectations for the revelations that Alan Wake 2 will offer. Consequently, the sequel is poised to address a handful of significant storylines, seeking to provide long-awaited answers.
Will Alan Wake Escape The Dark Place/Presence?
Alice Wake's Whereabouts
: The Dark Place/Presence in Alan Wake is the primary antagonist of the series, with Alan's struggles to overcome it and break free forming the core of the storyline. In the concluding moments of the first game, Alan's last words, "It's not a lake... it's an ocean," hinted at its disturbingly ominous nature. Though Alan managed to reach a temporary standstill, he remains ensnared as The Presence persistently attempts to manipulate him. Nevertheless, considering the typically uncertain outcomes of the survival-horror genre, the true extent of Alan's liberation and the possibility of a genuinely happy ending remain uncertain.Alan Wake's wife, Alice, was taken prisoner by The Dark Presence, triggering his ongoing battle with this malevolent force. The Dark Presence used Alice as leverage, coercing Alan to comply with its demands. In a desperate attempt to secure her release, Alan made an agreement to remain in The Dark Place. Since then, he has been unable to reach her. The latest reference to Alice appeared in a collectible note within Control, where she was reported to have been discussing her haunting experiences with agents from the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). However, without further reliable information, it remains uncertain how the events in Control align with the canonical storyline of Alan Wake. If Alan triumphs in his endeavors, fans may finally witness the long-awaited reunion of this devoted couple.
How Will Saga Anderson Fit In?
Alan Wake 2's second playable character is Saga Anderson, an FBI profiler tasked with investigating Alan's disappearance and its impact on the town of Bright Falls. Strongly connected to the Anderson brothers, the aging rockers who previously aided Alan, Saga's significant presence in promotional material suggests she is Alan's partner in the real world while he is trapped in The Dark Place. However, there are speculations among fans that, similar to the series' nature, Saga may actually be a fictional character created by Alan to aid his escape plan.
Will Mr. Scratch Show Up?
Mr. Scratch made his first appearance towards the conclusion of the original Alan Wake. He subsequently took center stage in The Signal and The Writer DLCs, and notably starred in Alan Wake's American Nightmare. Serving as Alan's sinister twin, Mr. Scratch embodies his darkest impulses and traits. Although Alan seemingly managed to temporarily banish his malevolent alter ego in American Nightmare, it wouldn't be surprising if Mr. Scratch resurfaced to continue tormenting Alan and/or Saga in the anticipated Alan Wake 2.
What Are The Implications for Remedy's Shared Universe?
Remedy Entertainment, the developer, has announced its plan to create a connected universe spanning its upcoming releases. Alan Wake has made appearances in the AWE DLC for Control and has been mentioned in Quantum Break. With all these games featuring impactful beings and events, Remedy faces the challenge of maintaining this element moving forward. Serving as the next installment in the Remedy Connected Universe, Alan Wake 2 will need to skillfully balance these elements to ensure a consistent and captivating experience for players.
Alan Wake 2 is set to launch on October 27, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.